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Introduction
In
several countries of East and Far-East, there are hundreds of Hindu
temples of great antiquity, built by illustrious rulers of Indian
origin. In the modes of construction, performance of worship,
conduct of festivals and naming of shrines, Indian's and Hinduism
strike the eye and thrill" the frames of the culture-loving
patriotic sons of India. Though daubed with alien culture - external
or internal, and breathing un-Indian air, they have retained the
Indian tradition to an astonishing degree that compels adoration.
Siva predominates over other divinities in regard to the number of
shrines built and creed professed. The unquestioned supremacy of
Siva among the TRIO is quite discernable; for, many of the images on
ceilings and walls depect Siva adorning the highest seat in the
assemblage of gods like Brahma; Vishnu, Moon, Sun, Narayana etc. The
myths and legends are given their due significance in the
inscriptions and sculptural adornments. Above all, Siva was regarded
as the national deity and reverence was extended in accordance with
it. It is but natural then that Linga, the representation of the
Lord is duly recognised and used as an object of veneration in
temples. The kings of Indian origin were staunch Saivates, and in
the tradition of few of other counterparts in India, they named the
temples after them like Bhadreswara temple after the Bhadravarman,
the redoubtable king of Champs, an integral part ;,the present South
Vietnam. Moreover, it was the customary practice of that country to
designate the holy places after the rulers.
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